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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
I was was immediately drawn to this book when I saw the cover on Instagram. I mean who does not love an English garden? The book, which is set in England, specifically the village of Highbury, was told during three different time frames, by Venetia Smith, a garden designer in 1907, in 1844 by Land Girl, Beth Pedley, cook at Highbury House, Stella Adderton, the mistress of Highbury House, Diana Symonds and present day by garden designer, Emma Lovett. Venetia’s story is of particular interest as she has a career during a time when women did not. She is a highly recognized an reputable designer who is hired to bring the gardens of Highbury House to life. Beth, Diana and Stella’s stories become intertwined in a surprising way while navigating life is a small English village during the worst of WWII while Highbury House is a convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers. Diana is widowed with a young son while trying to navigate living in a house that has become a hospital, Stella is her cook who wants nothing more than to see the world, and Beth is an orphan and gifted artist who is searching for her place in the world by becoming a Land Girl. In present day, Emma has been hired to restore the gardens after the renovation of Highbury House to its original splendor. Venetia Smith is her hero so she is honored to be restoring her work. The characters in the story are well written and have excellent backstories. The details about the garden, the house and the timelines are detailed and make for a very interesting read. I only wish there had been more. I felt that the story ended a little abruptly without giving the reader a chance to prepare for the ending. All in all, I would recommend this book for the details and wonderful writing. Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.
I got to about page 200. While it was interesting to see the interweaving of the three primary characters from the three different periods of time, I also found that the nonlinear method of storytelling made it harder for me to keep track of what was happening, unless I was able to have an extended reading session. But the primary reason why I stopped reading was because I did not care for where the romances were going and because the characters that I found to be the most engaging were not receiving a lot of stage time, so there was a lot of downtime between plotpoints that were, for me, engaging.
emotional
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage
This is the first book I have read by author, Julia Kelly who writes, among other genre, historical fiction set in England. The attraction was the title. Full stop. What gardener, even as novice as I, could resist this title?
There are many summaries online, so I will be brief: the gardens and their transformations are viewed by the reader through time from the perspectives of women who have profound encounters with it. It offers a comfort level many readers of historical fiction long for in that it is a linear and predictable story line, despite chapters alternating among three time periods and five women. We meet these women at certain points in their lives with only the briefest allusions to their pasts. This diminishes the intimacy of knowing them, their motivations, and often, their decisions at which a 21st century reader might easily scoff.
All that being said, it is a lovely story in the truest sense – loves of the women and love of the gardens themselves. It has been compared with “Downton Abbey” and one could easily see this as a Masterpiece series. It is a visual novel in many ways.
In this instance, what I would have loved to read is the story of the garden’s transformations from the garden’s point of view. An anthropomorphic, historical novel, you might say. As a gardener longing for something a bit more tantalizing, this would have added a different dimension.
There are many summaries online, so I will be brief: the gardens and their transformations are viewed by the reader through time from the perspectives of women who have profound encounters with it. It offers a comfort level many readers of historical fiction long for in that it is a linear and predictable story line, despite chapters alternating among three time periods and five women. We meet these women at certain points in their lives with only the briefest allusions to their pasts. This diminishes the intimacy of knowing them, their motivations, and often, their decisions at which a 21st century reader might easily scoff.
All that being said, it is a lovely story in the truest sense – loves of the women and love of the gardens themselves. It has been compared with “Downton Abbey” and one could easily see this as a Masterpiece series. It is a visual novel in many ways.
In this instance, what I would have loved to read is the story of the garden’s transformations from the garden’s point of view. An anthropomorphic, historical novel, you might say. As a gardener longing for something a bit more tantalizing, this would have added a different dimension.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment
Minor: Misogyny, War
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Last Garden in England is found at Highbury House in the midlands. In tree timelines, this story traces the history of the garden from its original installation to it's use as a hospital in World War 2 and to it's restoration in present day. Venetia Smith is the original garden designer in 1907 and her story tells of it's creation. Beth, Stella and Diana's stories surround the use of HIghbury House as a wartime recovery hospital. In the present day, Emma is working to restore the garden to its original grandeur. This reads very much like a Kate Morton novel, just about 100 pages shorter. Loved this book and look forward to more books by Julia Kelly.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy. via NetGalley.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy. via NetGalley.
What a lovely story! I had dreamed of listening to this story on audiobook while driving the countryside of England, but due to the poor Wifi there I could not download it until returning home. I admit that when listening to the story I had reminisced of my trip to Downtown Abbey (Highclere) which had been used as a hospital for soldiers during the war. I loved how a garden did tie these women together all from different time periods. I want to learn where the author lived in Iowa?? Also motivates me to work more on my own garden.
I really enjoyed this story! Kelly deftly weaves five different points of view and three time periods together around a central setting: Highbury House and its gardens. I wasn't sure how it was all going to tie together in the end, but when I got there it was a bittersweet but lovely ending. Highly recommend!